PHILIPPINES TO STOP STAMPING ON CHINESE NEW PASSPORT

MANILA - The Philippines is set to follow the initiative of Vietnam in refusing to stamp its visas on the controversial Chinese e-passport, which bears a map inclusive of the area that is supposedly part of the Philippine territory and maritime domain.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that its latest decision is part of the effort to underscore the country's protest against the inclusion of the nine-dash line map in the Chinese e-passport. 

"This action is being undertaken to avoid the Philippines being misconstrued as legitimizing the nine-dash line every time a Philippine visa is stamped on such Chinese e-passport," said the DFA.Instead, the DFA said, the Philippine government will stamp its visas on a separate visa application form. 

"We are preparing for an early implementation of the aforementioned action," the agency added.

China's new passports have stirred up existing territorial disputes between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors including India. The map also features disputed areas with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

The Philippines had already sent a note verbale to the Chinese government protesting the inclusion of the Philippine territory in its passport's new design.

According to the DFA, the move to stop visa stamping on the Chinese e-passport only "reinforces" the said protest.

"The Philippines views said expansive nine-dash claim as inconsistent with international law, specifically Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," said the DFA.

Earlier, Vietnam announced its decision not to stamp the travel documents of incoming Chinese nationals bearing the controversial map.

Source: Agency